Simvastatin

[chrissa1]

I have been taking Simvastatin for years and everything is fine.

The other night I noticed the words, "Avoid consumption of grapefruit" on the box label.

Does anyone know, why?

[dannyk13]

Explained on the link below.

http://search2.virginmedia.com/?channel=homepage&vml=telewest&vmt=0&q=grapefruit+and+medication&submit-search=Search

[janbee]

There's something in grapefruit that has a bad reaction with statins. Should also avoid Grapefruit juice.

[chrissa1]

Well I never!!!! Didn't know that. Thanks, both.

[Zacs-Master]

British Medical Journal explanation:
http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f1/rr/627070

[boxtops]

Yes, it's to do with the chemicals in grapefruit, they react badly with the content of this particular statin. Different statins don't necessarily carry that warning, but just to be on the safe side I avoid it anyway.

You are lucky - I took simvastation for 2 years and started to suffer excruciating muscle pain in my upper arms, which is a known side effect. Took 2 years to get back to normal - I'm on Fluvastatin now, all seems well.

[mallyh]

as i love grapefruit my doctor put me on another statin so i can eat them ,i had to go for a starvation blood test a month or so after to make sure every thing was ok .

[anneasquith]

hi chrissa.... grapefruit..........devils food .

[Zeuhl]

If you drink a litre of GFJ every day

at the same time as you take your statin

it might, possibly, cause a problem

[chrissa1]

Ha ha. I agree, anne.

Thanks all, for the information.

[Sqad]

Zeuhl.........his post touches the right note..........

If you enjoy GFJ chrissa and it hasn't bothered you.....then carry on.

[237SJ]

According to that bmj article, there might be a problem if you drink litres of the stuff. My mother was told the same (avoid grapefruit) from the local cancer centre and I held off making her some grapefruit marmalade for that reason. I think I might go ahead and make it now as I don`t think a little grapefruit will make any difference.

[chrissa1]

Never been a grapefruit lover, sqad. It just seemed strange for a fruit to be listed on the Pharmacy's label.

[Sqad]

chrissa.....LOL....OK.

[Old_Geezer]

Tsk tsk tsk.
Ought to read the label you know !

[boxtops]

I think.... that it's one of those things where it might be injurious to some people in large quantities, so the Powers That Be are covering themselves by saying that the safest things is that nobody should take it. My GP certainly told me not to each GF when on this drug.

[slaney]

I was just thinking what a good link from the BMJ Z-M had given, when I realised it was not the original article, (which was far more prescriptive) but a rapid response letter from a final year medical student as the primary author - medical students sure seem to be a cut above those in my day!

[chrissa1]

Well ordinarily, OG, I know my date of birth and my name and address. Lol. I just happened to glance at the label to check the date I ordered it. I had never noticed this instruction before.